Ames fire destroys shed and family business

Wednesday

Vicky Marty said she woke up at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to someone knocking desperately on her door at 2538 E. 190th St. in east Ames.

Vicky Marty said she woke up at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to someone knocking desperately on her door at 2538 E. 190th St. in east Ames.

The man at the door had been driving past the home near Interstate 35 when he saw the smoke and pulled off to investigate.

Vicky Marty and her husband, Norm Marty, came to the door and the stranger told them their shed was on fire.

Unfortunately, the shed wasn’t just a shed; it was where they kept all the equipment for their business, Property Service Agency, a 30-year-old, family-owned company that does everything from residential and commercial building to ground maintenance, siding, home remodeling and painting.

All told, there were five vehicles, more than 20 snowblowers and various other essential equipment inside the shed.